Hell’s Hip Pocket

The journey to Hell’s Hip Pocket is almost funner than the slot canyon itself. With the first known descent just a few years back by Eric Luth and David Wallace, this canyon is rarely visited due to its remoteness. Though the technical section is very short, it is very nice, and as mentioned before I feel the approach to this route is funner than the destination itself. Whenever you get a packraft involved, you know its going to be a good time. The route listed here is probably the all around best way to approach the gorge. The original route had them coming in from the other side of the lake, but our route was much more pleasant, but requires a packraft several miles down Canyon Lake and coming up Blue Tank Wash. From here, it is a sort stroll up the canyon to an easy scramble above the rim. With two rappels coming in quick succession, the narrows of Hell’s Hip Pocket are short but pretty.